Hydrogen refuelling stations (HRS) are a fundamental pillar for the development of the hydrogen economy in Spain and worldwide, facilitating the transition to a sustainable and efficient model. These stations not only supply hydrogen vehicles, such as cars, buses and heavy-duty trucks, but also represent strategic nodes where production, storage and supply converge.
In a context of growing adoption of fuel cell vehicles and an increase in projects in sectors such as heavy transport, as mentioned in our articles Hydrogen in Heavy-duty vehicles (HDV): Compressed Hydrogen Gas (CGH2) at 700 bar vs Liquid Hydrogen (LH2) and Hydrogen Infrastructure in Heavy Mobility in Spain, HRS face technical and operational challenges. The optimisation and proper design of their storage systems are essential, as they reduce costs and improve operational reliability.
At Lean Hydrogen, we design and optimise storage systems in an HRS using our own simulation tool, which allows us to model the hydrogen consumption profile for any type of vehicle and assess the operational needs of each project. Our methodology considers multiple pressure levels in current tanks on the market and adjusts the parameters to ensure operational stability in all consumption scenarios. This iterative analysis allows us to optimise both the number of compressors and the storage capacity, always seeking a balance between cost and operational performance.
Optimising the storage system in an HRS is essential to ensure its economic and technical viability in the context of the transition to a hydrogen economy. With the right tools, it is possible to address the challenges associated with storage, from reducing costs to improving safety and reliability.
If you are looking to design the HRS for your project in the most optimal way, at Lean Hydrogen we are experts in developing tailor-made solutions that guarantee reliability, efficiency and a reduction in investment costs. Contact us and we will do it for you!
Date: 21/08/2025
Author: Christian Preciado Cárdenas
Reviewer: Eugenio Trillo León
